Women in Religious Life/Family History - Ancestor became a Nun

QuestionDear Dr Mattke,
I am in Australia and am doing our Hannan Family history. I believe that one of our ancestors became a nun and nursed at Lewisham Hospital in Sydney. I was told that she joined The Little Company of Mary. On her mother's death certificate, her name is listed as Mary Solke. This make no sense, it is not her family name, and I wonder if it might be her Religious name, ie Sister Mary Solke. I haven't heard of Solke before and wonder if it might be an error on the certificate. Is it in fact a religious name that you are aware of? I have tried to contact the Order but without success. I hope to hear from you. Kind regards, Gail White, Brisbane, Qld, Australia

AnswerI did some research, and I could not find the name of "Solke" on the Internet at all. I'm not sure if it is religious or not, but please do some additional work to find out, and I do wish you the best. One possibility is go through Ancestry.com and setup a membership there in hopes to find the information you're looking for to help you get answers. I do apologize for not being able to help much with your question. Have a great day dear.

Expertise

I can answer questions about women in ministry, possible obstacles and ways to overcome them in a male-dominated world. I am also provide insight on how to make the church a better work evironment; additionally, I will only answer them if they are in question format.

Experience

I have worked in six different Christian churches doing Children's Ministry. My positions included "Team Leader" to "Children's Minister." Furthermore, I have volunteered in the church for eighteen years in other areas, such as music, greeting, hospitality and small groups.

Publications“Greater Wichita YMCA Case Study on Servant Leadership”
International Journal of Diversity on March 15, 2010
with Franklin Publishing Company
“Employer Hiring Practices that Discriminate Against Women in the United States”
Ethics and Critical Thinking Journal on June 15, 2010
with Franklin Publishing Company
“Afford A Care Case Study on Situational Leadership”
International Journal of Diversity on December 15, 2010
with Franklin Publishing Company
"Grace: Why is it so Important?"
Conflict Resolution and Negotiation Journal on September 15, 2011 with Franklin Publishing Company.
"A Comparative Analysis of Subsitent Leadership in the Wichita, Kansas Area with Sonic and Five Guys Restaurant." Business & Law Journal. March 15, 2014 with Franklin Publishing Company.
"The Time of the Gentiles." Conflict Resolution and Negotiation Journal. September 15, 2014 with Franklin Publishing Company.
“Survival: A Memoir in Dealing with Rape and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.” (April 21, 2011). Chipmunka Publishing: London, England.
"A PTSD Workbook for Rape Survivors: The Transformation from Grief to Forgiveness A Christ-Centered Healing Journey" (2012) Chipmunka Publishing: London, England.
"Servant-Leadership and Grace: Changing one Person at a Time." (2013). Lambert Academic Publishing: Saarbrücken, Germany.

Awards and HonorsRunner up for Class President with the Citizen Police Academy- November 3, 2009
Debate Judge for Wichita Collegiate School on October 31, 2009
Guest Speaker for MCC with the WFPS Conference- October 17, 2009
“The Role of Women’s Rights and Rape” was the topic
Taught Supervisory Leadership and HR Management-
August 2008-December 2009
Put together online B.S. Biblical Leadership program for Manhattan Christian
College- August 2007-July 2008
Dean’s Honor Roll at Manhattan Christian College online- Fall 2007
National Scholars Honor Society- January 2007
Chancellor’s List for excellent grades at Butler County Community College– Spring 2004 and 2005
National Deans List- 2001
Who’s Who Among American High School Students for excellent grades at Rose Hill– 1999-2001

Past/Present ClientsMy past and current clients consisted of those that were children and families in the Christian church setting.